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Cruising the Mississippi: From New Orleans to Memphis on a Genuine Paddlewheeler
In crossing another travel adventure off their bucket list, two retirees take a fascinating river cruise and find the heart and soul of the American South.
Born travelers Al and Sunny Lockwood seized their dreams of exploring America's natural wonders. From hiking Sierra Nevada mountain trails to photographing wildflowers in Death Valley, they've documented their fascinating journeys to critical acclaim.
A serious car wreck changed their lives. They stopped postponing their dreams of ocean cruises.
Now, these veteran travelers embrace a new travel adventure: a river cruise up the magnificent Mississippi.
Join Al and Sunny on the decks of an antebellum paddle-wheel riverboat as they experience the culinary delights, rich architecture, breathtaking vistas, and famous hospitality of southern culture.
You'll visit lavish plantation mansions, honor the fallen at Civil War memorials, and be swept away by the magical beat of authentic New Orleans jazz. Before the journey ends, you'll witness how the couple's first impressions are challenged, changing their hearts forever.
In Cruising the Mississippi, you'll discover:
-Fascinating histories of riverside cities
-Little-known facts about famous landmarks
-Personal reflections and insights from their daily experiences
-Tested travel tips and advice for embarking on your own river cruise adventure
-The lifelong benefits of immersing yourself in different customs and cultural experiences
-A detailed tour of the historic paddle-wheel riverboat, and much, much more!
If you like cultural exploration, American history, practical travel insights, colorful characters, and authentic personal stories, you'll love Al and Sunny Lockwood's illuminating exploration of America's mightiest waterway.
Buy Cruising the Mississippi today and embark on a breathtaking adventure for the young at heart!
Born travelers Al and Sunny Lockwood seized their dreams of exploring America's natural wonders. From hiking Sierra Nevada mountain trails to photographing wildflowers in Death Valley, they've documented their fascinating journeys to critical acclaim.
A serious car wreck changed their lives. They stopped postponing their dreams of ocean cruises.
Now, these veteran travelers embrace a new travel adventure: a river cruise up the magnificent Mississippi.
Join Al and Sunny on the decks of an antebellum paddle-wheel riverboat as they experience the culinary delights, rich architecture, breathtaking vistas, and famous hospitality of southern culture.
You'll visit lavish plantation mansions, honor the fallen at Civil War memorials, and be swept away by the magical beat of authentic New Orleans jazz. Before the journey ends, you'll witness how the couple's first impressions are challenged, changing their hearts forever.
In Cruising the Mississippi, you'll discover:
-Fascinating histories of riverside cities
-Little-known facts about famous landmarks
-Personal reflections and insights from their daily experiences
-Tested travel tips and advice for embarking on your own river cruise adventure
-The lifelong benefits of immersing yourself in different customs and cultural experiences
-A detailed tour of the historic paddle-wheel riverboat, and much, much more!
If you like cultural exploration, American history, practical travel insights, colorful characters, and authentic personal stories, you'll love Al and Sunny Lockwood's illuminating exploration of America's mightiest waterway.
Buy Cruising the Mississippi today and embark on a breathtaking adventure for the young at heart!
- GenresNatureNonfiction
114 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 1, 2019
75 people are currently reading
129 people want to read
About the author
Sunny Lockwood
17 books9 followersDon't fear growing older. I've learned it is the portal to abundant riches.
The potential of youth has been developed or squandered. The rewards or disappointments that accompany adulthood have been recorded on the heart. Lessons learned or ignored. And now, all that background, all that experience and insight can inspire and/or enable you to make postponed dreams come true.
My husband and I met late in life, long after college and careers. We both loved reading, weekend travel, socializing with friends, and our creative pursuits. (I'd been a newspaper reporter, editor and columnist. He was a photographer who also designed and built homes).
But a texting driver slamming into us at full speed while we sat at a red light, changed our lives. The wreck woke us up to the fragility of life. And although we'd been busy with all our various involvements, we realized that we'd better stop putting off dreams we hoped to do "some day."
Most of our "some day" dreams were travel related. We registered for a Panama Canal cruise. Pre-cruise research revealed the fascinating political high jinks behind the canal, and the heart-breaking number of lives lost in building it.
The story mesmerized us, but not as much as the trip itself: traveling through the world's most famous short-cut in exactly the same way the first ship went through.
It was all so exciting, we wrote a book about it: Cruising Panama's Canal.
And our new adventure -- writing travel memoirs -- was born. Since that first travel memoir (which, by the way, was a National Indie Excellence Award finalist), we've written travel memoirs about cruising the Mediterranean, cruising the Atlantic and exploring Venice, Florence, Rome & Barcelona.
This year (2017) we're writing about cruising the Mississippi, exploring river towns along the way and getting a feel for the largest, longest river in the U.S.A.
Hopefully, this book will launch in 2018.
We write to share our adventures and to encourage others to make their own long-held dreams come true.
When we're not traveling, we take classes at the local community college, enjoy the company of friends and family, read a book or two a month (I read nonfiction, Sweetheart Al reads thrillers), and think about our next trip.
The years we have accumulated add depth (and often humor) to our adventures.
The potential of youth has been developed or squandered. The rewards or disappointments that accompany adulthood have been recorded on the heart. Lessons learned or ignored. And now, all that background, all that experience and insight can inspire and/or enable you to make postponed dreams come true.
My husband and I met late in life, long after college and careers. We both loved reading, weekend travel, socializing with friends, and our creative pursuits. (I'd been a newspaper reporter, editor and columnist. He was a photographer who also designed and built homes).
But a texting driver slamming into us at full speed while we sat at a red light, changed our lives. The wreck woke us up to the fragility of life. And although we'd been busy with all our various involvements, we realized that we'd better stop putting off dreams we hoped to do "some day."
Most of our "some day" dreams were travel related. We registered for a Panama Canal cruise. Pre-cruise research revealed the fascinating political high jinks behind the canal, and the heart-breaking number of lives lost in building it.
The story mesmerized us, but not as much as the trip itself: traveling through the world's most famous short-cut in exactly the same way the first ship went through.
It was all so exciting, we wrote a book about it: Cruising Panama's Canal.
And our new adventure -- writing travel memoirs -- was born. Since that first travel memoir (which, by the way, was a National Indie Excellence Award finalist), we've written travel memoirs about cruising the Mediterranean, cruising the Atlantic and exploring Venice, Florence, Rome & Barcelona.
This year (2017) we're writing about cruising the Mississippi, exploring river towns along the way and getting a feel for the largest, longest river in the U.S.A.
Hopefully, this book will launch in 2018.
We write to share our adventures and to encourage others to make their own long-held dreams come true.
When we're not traveling, we take classes at the local community college, enjoy the company of friends and family, read a book or two a month (I read nonfiction, Sweetheart Al reads thrillers), and think about our next trip.
The years we have accumulated add depth (and often humor) to our adventures.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
February 25, 2020
A few years ago, Sunny Lockwood emailed to ask if I’d like to review her book, "Finding Ourselves in Venice, Florence, Rome, & Barcelona: Aging adventurers discover the power of place while exploring fascinating cities at their own relaxing pace." I did, and I loved it. She and her husband, Al (aka “Sweetheart”) are seniors who enjoy traveling. Sunny recounts their adventures in books. Her journal-style of writing helped me feel like I was re-visiting the spots they traveled to. In some cases, they took me to a location for the first time.
When Sunny emailed saying that she and Al had another new book out, I was happy to read this one too. "Cruising the Mississippi: From New Orleans to Memphis on a genuine paddlewheeler" is her latest.
The Lockwoods took a river cruise along the Mississippi, from New Orleans to Memphis, traveling on the American Queen, which is an authentic paddlewheel boat. My mom enjoys planning trips for our extended family to take, and recently when she wanted ideas, I mentioned a river cruise such as this one. After reading this book, I felt even more like this would be a wonderful trip.
The Lockwoods enjoyed their cruise the week before Christmas, and were treated to a night at a plantation house decorated for the holiday, complete with people in period costumes dancing, etc. Their trip included complimentary passes for “hop on” buses in each city where they stopped, making it easy to learn the history and culture of each stop at their own pace.
Al, as before, comes across as such an enjoyable travel companion, with his love of the ship’s fresh-baked cookies and his enjoyment of taking pictures. Sunny lets us in on back-stories of some of the ship’s entertainers (one of whom, in a “small world” moment, knows a relative of theirs). She marvels when she realizes that the barista who helped her make a latte was the same man who later beautifully played the cello during an entertainment program on the ship, musing that “each person is so much more than they appear in our limited exposure to them.” So true!
If you’d like a little armchair travel, I recommend any of Sunny and Al’s books.
When Sunny emailed saying that she and Al had another new book out, I was happy to read this one too. "Cruising the Mississippi: From New Orleans to Memphis on a genuine paddlewheeler" is her latest.
The Lockwoods took a river cruise along the Mississippi, from New Orleans to Memphis, traveling on the American Queen, which is an authentic paddlewheel boat. My mom enjoys planning trips for our extended family to take, and recently when she wanted ideas, I mentioned a river cruise such as this one. After reading this book, I felt even more like this would be a wonderful trip.
The Lockwoods enjoyed their cruise the week before Christmas, and were treated to a night at a plantation house decorated for the holiday, complete with people in period costumes dancing, etc. Their trip included complimentary passes for “hop on” buses in each city where they stopped, making it easy to learn the history and culture of each stop at their own pace.
Al, as before, comes across as such an enjoyable travel companion, with his love of the ship’s fresh-baked cookies and his enjoyment of taking pictures. Sunny lets us in on back-stories of some of the ship’s entertainers (one of whom, in a “small world” moment, knows a relative of theirs). She marvels when she realizes that the barista who helped her make a latte was the same man who later beautifully played the cello during an entertainment program on the ship, musing that “each person is so much more than they appear in our limited exposure to them.” So true!
If you’d like a little armchair travel, I recommend any of Sunny and Al’s books.
April 30, 2021
Time for me to go on another armchair cruise and Sunny and Al Lockwood said I could “come along” on their Mississippi River cruise. We all had a grand time seeing the southern sites, and experiencing a genuine paddle wheeler as we cruised up “Old Man River”.
Like the other Lockwood cruising books I’ve enjoyed, Sunny shares her bright-eyed and eager descriptions of each day. Their room and accommodations on the boat were very nice and featured southern touches and history. The food and entertainment also reflected the southern vibe. Their stops at Natchez and Vicksburg with the “hop on hop off” buses allowed them to see historical and confederate places.
Al entertains with his fun observations about the cookie selection and how steam engines operate. Sunny contemplates the meaning of the legacy of the Civil War. Both of them made friends and had a wonderful trip- they even signed up for a future cruise.
I recommend all of the Lockwood’s travel books- they provide just the right amount of information and travel tips and make you feel that you are right there with them. Thanks Al and Sunny.
Like the other Lockwood cruising books I’ve enjoyed, Sunny shares her bright-eyed and eager descriptions of each day. Their room and accommodations on the boat were very nice and featured southern touches and history. The food and entertainment also reflected the southern vibe. Their stops at Natchez and Vicksburg with the “hop on hop off” buses allowed them to see historical and confederate places.
Al entertains with his fun observations about the cookie selection and how steam engines operate. Sunny contemplates the meaning of the legacy of the Civil War. Both of them made friends and had a wonderful trip- they even signed up for a future cruise.
I recommend all of the Lockwood’s travel books- they provide just the right amount of information and travel tips and make you feel that you are right there with them. Thanks Al and Sunny.
June 16, 2020
Cute, travel memoir, full of history and detail. Makes me want to cruise the Mississippi now!
June 10, 2020
This book was entered in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. This is what our readers thought:
Title: Cruising the Mississippi
Author: Al and Sunny Lockwood
Star Rating: 5 Stars
Number of Readers: 16
Stats
Editing: 8/10
Writing Style: 8/10
Content: 9/10
Cover: 8/10
Of the 16 readers:
14 would read another book by this author.
13 thought the cover was good or excellent.
16 felt it was easy to follow.
15 would recommend this story to another reader to try.
Of all the readers, 6 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘writing style’.
Of all the readers, 10 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘subject knowledge’.
14 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
15 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.
Readers’ Comments
‘Exploring a river on a paddlewheel – what fun!’ Male reader, aged 54
‘A thoroughly enjoyable and educational read. The authors not only show fortitude in their travels, but also an eye for the interesting. Gem!’ female reader, aged 39
‘Packed full of small tips for the wary explorer, this is a travel bible for anybody who, in later years, fancy an adventure. This is a refreshing read, well-researched and intimately written.’ Female reader, aged 66
‘A very atmospheric read. I felt as if I was going along with them. Relaxed, chatty sort of writing style which works well.’ Male reader, aged 59
To Sum It Up:
‘An engrossing travel up the river. A FINALIST and highly recommended.’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
Title: Cruising the Mississippi
Author: Al and Sunny Lockwood
Star Rating: 5 Stars
Number of Readers: 16
Stats
Editing: 8/10
Writing Style: 8/10
Content: 9/10
Cover: 8/10
Of the 16 readers:
14 would read another book by this author.
13 thought the cover was good or excellent.
16 felt it was easy to follow.
15 would recommend this story to another reader to try.
Of all the readers, 6 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘writing style’.
Of all the readers, 10 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘subject knowledge’.
14 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
15 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.
Readers’ Comments
‘Exploring a river on a paddlewheel – what fun!’ Male reader, aged 54
‘A thoroughly enjoyable and educational read. The authors not only show fortitude in their travels, but also an eye for the interesting. Gem!’ female reader, aged 39
‘Packed full of small tips for the wary explorer, this is a travel bible for anybody who, in later years, fancy an adventure. This is a refreshing read, well-researched and intimately written.’ Female reader, aged 66
‘A very atmospheric read. I felt as if I was going along with them. Relaxed, chatty sort of writing style which works well.’ Male reader, aged 59
To Sum It Up:
‘An engrossing travel up the river. A FINALIST and highly recommended.’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
June 22, 2020
A Different Kind of Cruise
I thoroughly enjoyed reading about cruising up the Mississippi River. We have done ocean cruises and loop trips around the country but I was enamored with the idea of a river trip right here in our beautiful America. This was a charming, easy read and I know I would enjoy reading about the Lockwood's other travels, especially Venice since we were scheduled to visit there late this summer before Covid-19 canceled that trip.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading about cruising up the Mississippi River. We have done ocean cruises and loop trips around the country but I was enamored with the idea of a river trip right here in our beautiful America. This was a charming, easy read and I know I would enjoy reading about the Lockwood's other travels, especially Venice since we were scheduled to visit there late this summer before Covid-19 canceled that trip.
November 23, 2019
If you enjoy travel memoirs, this is a great one to add to your shelf. Sunny, a retired reporter, is very good with words and does an excellent job making the book both educational and entertaining. It covers the trip from their arrival in New Orleans to the night before their departure in Memphis.
My husband and I also both enjoy travel and cruising. We haven’t been on a river cruise because we thought them too pricey, but now we have one on our list for the near future.
My husband and I also both enjoy travel and cruising. We haven’t been on a river cruise because we thought them too pricey, but now we have one on our list for the near future.
January 27, 2020
Al and Sunny travel from New Orleans to Memphis on a Paddlewheeler. Plantation mansions, Civil war memorials, riverside cities and New Orleans jazz.
I've enjoyed each one of these books. Cruising the Mississippi took me, the reader, on a trip of adventure. I loved the onboard time, the tours on the shores, and the people they met along the way.
I've enjoyed each one of these books. Cruising the Mississippi took me, the reader, on a trip of adventure. I loved the onboard time, the tours on the shores, and the people they met along the way.
September 18, 2022
Very informative account of river cruise on mighty Mississippi. Elderly traveler or person with disability can find many details which can help him/her decide is this cruise worth taking. Social commentary is mostly single minded and needs commentary of it's own. Farmer from Ohio is obvious whiner and if it is all about bottom line then author's comment is appropriate. If environmental laws will force him to close farm remember that he is producing food and without food no next generations so for whom we are protecting environment? Facing similar predicament in California (high cost of living caused in great part due to environmental policies) author didn't decide to sacrifice and contribute but hightailed to NC where life is easier due to lack of radical Californian policies. Of course in process of relocation author left a nice big carbon footprint which is conveniently forgotten. Indulging in cruising of any sort is not environmentally friendly activity so author came out as a bit of hypocrite.
In spite of rubbing me the wrong way this is a good and highly recommended book!
In spite of rubbing me the wrong way this is a good and highly recommended book!
January 29, 2021
Mostly narrated by Sunny, this travel memoir shares the couple's first river cruise adventure. Al offers his thoughts along the way with a style that perfectly complements his wife's.
Two things drew me to this book: I had seen a real paddlewheeler cruising the Mississippi on vacation in 2014, and the book blurb talking about the interesting history they would encounter along the way.
Throughout the pages of Cruising the Mississippi, the reader is delighted to read of the Lockwoods' experiences on land and river: the delicious foods, the historical lectures, the entertainment, the shops, the historical landmarks, and even a little surprise that I won't spoil for you.
The Lockwoods have a keen eye for detail, which allows the reader to feel like she is experiencing the cruise right along with them. Photos of historical places, along with photos from the ship, give the reader a glimpse into the beauty they found along the way.
If you enjoy travel memoirs or have an interest in American history, you'll want to read Cruising the Mississippi.
Two things drew me to this book: I had seen a real paddlewheeler cruising the Mississippi on vacation in 2014, and the book blurb talking about the interesting history they would encounter along the way.
Throughout the pages of Cruising the Mississippi, the reader is delighted to read of the Lockwoods' experiences on land and river: the delicious foods, the historical lectures, the entertainment, the shops, the historical landmarks, and even a little surprise that I won't spoil for you.
The Lockwoods have a keen eye for detail, which allows the reader to feel like she is experiencing the cruise right along with them. Photos of historical places, along with photos from the ship, give the reader a glimpse into the beauty they found along the way.
If you enjoy travel memoirs or have an interest in American history, you'll want to read Cruising the Mississippi.
December 13, 2021
I found this book while searching for a Mississippi guide book with charts and river details. I was overjoyed to read this book only a week before we embark from Memphis to New Orleans. I picked up several tips on sightseeing options and even though we've been on the American Queen twice (Pittsburgh to Cincinnati and St. Louis to Cincinnati), it never occurred to us to book another trip while on board. Now I have not only our current trip to look forward to, but also the upper Mississippi in 2023 - or maybe the Cumberland. So many options!
December 15, 2025
I liked the fact that Sunny and Al are probably close to my age and like a nap. I wish they had covered one or more excursions that they would pay for to know what they were like. The cruise was otherwise well described and I felt I had a good sense of all the different aspects of their cruise experience with this company,
December 16, 2020
I have always wanted to cruise on a paddleboat but thought it was to expensive but when I look at what I spend going to Europe—well—and this book shows what you get for your money—a lot and the history sounds very interesting also-looks like a trip for 2022!! How much weight did you gain!!
March 20, 2020
Wonderful detailed and descriptive experience
This has been a wonderful short journey to read. My only fault and reason for not offering 5 stars was that it was over too quick
This has been a wonderful short journey to read. My only fault and reason for not offering 5 stars was that it was over too quick
May 30, 2020
Some interesting parts, but not nearly as interesting as some other travel books I have read.
August 1, 2021
Great book!
I loved this book! The description of one of the steamboats I would LOVE to be on was excellent. Not to mention the excellent description of the South. Fascinating!
I loved this book! The description of one of the steamboats I would LOVE to be on was excellent. Not to mention the excellent description of the South. Fascinating!
November 12, 2021
Great information
I had such a good time traveling with Sunny and Al on this trip! The book reads like you are really there and experiencing what the authors are experiencing.
I had such a good time traveling with Sunny and Al on this trip! The book reads like you are really there and experiencing what the authors are experiencing.
November 13, 2019
Sunny and Al are off again
This time they decide to take a paddleboat cruise up the Mississippi River for a 9 day cruise during the Christmas season. Where do they get the energy? If you enjoy historic America, then you will enjoy travelling along with the Lockwoods. From New Orleans to Memphis, they cover the wonders of this part of America and it's rich history. Another winner.
This time they decide to take a paddleboat cruise up the Mississippi River for a 9 day cruise during the Christmas season. Where do they get the energy? If you enjoy historic America, then you will enjoy travelling along with the Lockwoods. From New Orleans to Memphis, they cover the wonders of this part of America and it's rich history. Another winner.
Want to read
October 10, 2019TheFussyLibrarian
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews